3 Series - £5.5k

[David-30d0e]

Hello all,

I've got around £5,500 to spend on a used BMW. I'm looking at 3 series and 2007/2008 cars with around 80,000 - 90,000 miles appear to be my best bet. Is there anything I should be wary of?

Thanks.

[padhinbed]

There's alot of info regarding timing chains, swirl flaps, DPFs, etc...which is worth a search.

When I looked yesterday, there was an AUC E90 for around £6.5k on the BMW website. Might be worth looking into as it'll come with warranty and you maybe able to get a discount to bring it in to your price range.

[helix402]

Buy one with 6 cylinders.

[Synchromesh]

helix402 said:

Buy one with 6 cylinders.

For reliability, power or something else?

[helix402]

All of the above! The fours you will be looking at are all unreliable, in various areas. The engines codes are N43, N46, N47. Sixes are better in every way, they don’t necessarily use more fuel than a smaller four too.

[iSore]

Do not, under ANY circumstances buy a 318i or 320i. Four cylinder junk, with the 2007 onwards N43 being one of the worst four cylinder engines ever made, by anyone. An awful, oil leaking unreliable heap of st. These also have diff problems - just avoid.

N47 2007 onwards diesel - timing chains.

Sixes are alright(ish) but are at there age where they could land you a serious bill. Camshaft bearing ledge wear, water pump, ABS block. 2007 onwards direct injection models can be a world of pain and expense.

With your budget I would buy the lowest mileage, best specced 2006/7 M47N 320d M Sport. A good one is just a really nice car even now, plenty of go, 50 mpg and very pleasant to drive.

[iSore]

Here we go: Even some change.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Forget about the registration plate, or that it's not an LCI. This is the one to have.

[soad]

Synchromesh said:

helix402 said:

Buy one with 6 cylinders.

For reliability, power or something else?

Sounds better too.

[anonymous-user]

iSore said:

With your budget I would buy the lowest mileage, best specced 2006/7 M47N 320d M Sport. A good one is just a really nice car even now, plenty of go, 50 mpg and very pleasant to drive.

Exactly what we have, bought it a couple of years ago and has served us well. No DPF, no timing chain issues, decent drive.

[Mr Tidy]

helix402 said:

Buy one with 6 cylinders.

+1 for that - it's the advice my local BMW Indy gave me! (And he recommended petrol rather than diesel).

But you don't give us much to go on OP - what is your likely annual mileage, is it all short trips or a few decent motorway/A-road journeys? Is economy paramount, or do you want to rag the n*ts off it now and again?

That will have a bearing on what is likely to suit you best.

[tomic]

Get one with the N52 6 cylinder Petrol engine - This will be a 325i 2.5 or a 330i 258bhp, pre LCI. Go for a manual gearbox if you can find one.

It’s a much, much nicer car than the four cylinder versions and is very reliable to go with it. The 320d is quite punchy and has good fuel economy but you just feel like you’re in any other car with a 4 cylinder Diesel engine.